Cable suspension support assembly

ABSTRACT

A support assembly includes a first member, a second member spaced apart from the first member, a third member securing the first and second members together, and a fourth member extending between the first and second members. The fourth member forces the first and second members apart to provide a tensile force in the third member and a compressive force in the fourth member, thereby stabilizing the support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a support assembly and moreparticularly to a table assembly having a compression member and aplurality of tension members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, a support assemblyincludes a first member, a second member that is separate and spacedapart from the first member, a third member that is fixedly secured tothe first and second members, and a fourth member that extends linearlybetween the first and second members. A length of the fourth member isselectively adjustable. Increasing the length of the fourth memberforces the first and second members apart to provide a tensile force inthe third member and a compressive force in the fourth member, therebystabilizing the support assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three-point support assembly accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a first example of a connection location;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of a second example of a connectionlocation;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a first member of the supportassembly illustrating a third example of a connection location;

FIG. 5 is a close-up perspective view of the third example of theconnection location;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of an adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the three-point support assembly shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first alternative arrangement of thethree-point support assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second alternative arrangement of thethree-point support assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third alternative arrangement of thethree-point support assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a three-point supportassembly used in a first truss-like system;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a three-point supportassembly used in a second truss-like system;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a four-point support assembly accordingto another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the four-point support assembly shown inFIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a first alternative arrangement of afour-point support assembly;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second alternative arrangement of afour-point support assembly; and

FIG. 17 is a side view of the second alternative arrangement of thefour-point support assembly shown in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, a support assembly is generally shown at 10.The support assembly 10 includes a minimal amount of components and canbe assembled for use without the use of any tools. It is appreciatedthat the support assembly 10 will have any number of applications oruses such as a table, podium, structural truss, or display pedestal, toname just a few. Similarly, the support assembly 10 can be disassembledby removing a single component without the use of any tools. When thesupport assembly 10 is disassembled, it is very compact for shipping ortransport, which makes the support assembly 10 easily portable.

The support assembly 10 includes a first member or base 12. Depending onthe application, the first member 12 can be any of a variety of shapes.For example, when the support assembly 10 is used as a table or podium,the first member 12 commonly has a circular or rectangular shape. Thefirst member 12 can be made from a variety of materials such asmedium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, metal plate, molded plastic,or even recycled objects such as used automotive brake rotors.

A second member 14 is spaced apart from the first member 12, andsimilarly, can be any of a variety of shapes. For example, the secondmember 14 commonly has a circular, rectangular, or polygonal shape. Inaddition to the materials mentioned above with respect to the firstmember 12, the second member 14 can also be made from a variety ofmaterials including tempered glass.

A third member 16 is provided to connect the first and second members12, 14 together. The third member 16 can be any of a variety ofcomponents that are suitable for carrying a tensile load. In theembodiment shown, the third member 16 is a flexible cable that can bemade from braided steel cable, rope, stretch cord, wire, chain or anysimilar flexible component. It is further appreciated that the thirdmember 16 can be a generally rigid component that is capable of carryinga tensile load, such as a thin rod, for example. The cable 16 can be asingle continuous element or a plurality of elements, as is describedbelow. The cable 16 is secured to each of the first and second members12, 14 at various connection locations generally adjacent the perimeterof each of the first and second members 12, 14.

The cable 16 is fixedly secured to the first and second members 12, 14by any of a variety of fastening devices. Referring to FIG. 2, forexample, at each connection location the cable 16 is crimped andinserted into a coupling nut 18. A set screw or pin 20 is insertedthrough the coupling nut 18 to retain the crimped cable 16 therein.Alternatively, an epoxy compound may be used to retain the crimped cable16 within the coupling nut 18. The coupling nut 18 is inserted into ahole 22 formed in one of the first or second members 12, 14 at eachconnection location. A connecting bolt 24 extends from an outer side ofthe first or second member 12, 14 through a washer 26 and is threadablysecured into the coupling nut 18.

Other examples of fixedly securing the cable 16 to the first and secondmembers 12, 14 are also contemplated. Referring to FIG. 3, for example,at each connection location the cable 16 is crimped and a loop 28 isformed by a swage fitting 30 securing adjacent cable sections together.Alternatively, when separate cables are used for each cable section,each cable section has a swage fitting 30 forming a loop 28. The loop orloops 28 are inserted through a washer 32 and retained with a pin 34.The washer 32 is inserted and retained in a blind key hole 36 formed onan inner side of the first or second member 12, 14. In other words, thekey hole 36 does not extend through to the outer side of the first orsecond member 12, 14.

Another example of fixedly securing the cable 16 to the second member 14is contemplated wherein the inner side of the second member 14 includesa channel 38, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The channel 38 is adapted forreceiving a T-nut 40 therein. At each connection location the cable 16is crimped and inserted into the T-nut 40 and retained with a pin (notshown). The T-nut 40 is secured in the channel 38 at each connectionlocation by a pair of clips 42, 44 disposed on either side of the T-nut40. The clips 42, 44 are fixedly secured within the channel 38 bytightening a set screw 46. It is appreciated that the cable 16 may befixedly secured to the first member 12 in the same manner withoutvarying from the scope of the invention.

A fourth member or post 48 extends linearly between the first and secondmembers 12, 14. The post 48 engages an inner side of the first member 12and an inner side of the second member 14 and applies an outward forceto the first and second members 12, 14. Since the first and secondmembers 12, 14 are connected by the cable 16, the cable 16 is subjectedto a tensile load and the post 48 is subjected to a correspondingcompressive load. The post 48 can be made from a variety of materialsthat are suitable for carrying the compressive load. As such, the post48 is generally rigid and does not flex, however, it is contemplatedthat a certain amount of flex may be desirable. Further, the post 48 maybe constructed of multiple elements that combine to form a singleelement. It is contemplated that the first and second members 12, 14 mayinclude indents or some form of recess (not shown) for locating the endsof the post 48. The support assembly 10 may also include more than onepost 48 extending between the first and second members 12, 14, as isdescribed in more detail below. The tensile load in the cable 16 and thecorresponding compressive load in the post 48 are controlled by thelength of the post 48. If the post 48 has a fixed length, the post 48 isinserted between the first and second members 12, 14 and forces thefirst and second members 12, 14 apart to stabilize the support assembly10. In order to disassemble the support assembly 10, the post or posts48 are removed from between the first and second members 12, 14,allowing the cable 16 to collapse, thereby allowing the first and secondmembers 12, 14 to be positioned directly adjacent each other.

If the post 48 has an adjustable length, the tensile load in the cable16 and the corresponding compressive load in the post 48 increase as thelength of the post 48 increases. The length of the post 48 can beadjusted using any of a variety of suitable methods. Referring to FIG. 6for example, an adjustment mechanism includes a threaded bolt 50threadably engaging one end of the post 48. A driver 52 for engaging thehead of the threaded bolt 50 is fixedly secured to the first or secondmember 12, 14. In the embodiment shown, the driver 52 is fixedly securedto the first member 12. Thus, as the post 48 is rotated, in acounterclockwise direction for example, the post 48 rotates relative tothe threaded bolt 50, thereby increasing the overall length of the post48 until the support assembly 10 is sufficiently stable. It iscontemplated that a cam-type device (not shown) could also be used toadjust the length of the post 48 without varying from the scope of theinvention.

It is contemplated that a secondary member or decorative top 53, shownin FIG. 7, can be placed over the second member 14 depending on thedesired look of the support assembly 10. For example, when the supportassembly 10 is to be used as a table, the decorative top 53 can be atable top having any particular design. The decorative top 53 is sizedto fit over the second member 14 and will generally have larger overalldimensions than the second member 14. It is appreciated that thedecorative top 53 may be fixedly secured to the second member 14.

Various embodiments of the support assembly 10 will now be described indetail. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, in a first embodiment of theinvention, the support assembly 10 is a three-point system, wherein thecable 16 is connected to each of the first and second members 12, 14 atthree separate points, thus creating six cable sections extendingbetween the first and second members 12, 14 with two cable sections ateach connection location. In other words, the cable 16 includes sixcable sections, namely, a first cable section 54, a second cable section56, a third cable section 58, a fourth cable section 60, a fifth cablesection 62, and a sixth cable section 64. Each one of the six cablesections 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 is equal in length such that the firstand second 12, 14 members are generally parallel. It is appreciated thateach cable section may be a separate cable without varying from thescope of the invention. It is further appreciated that the supportassembly 10 may have any number of connection locations between thecable 16 and the first and second members 12, 14 without varying fromthe scope of the invention.

The first member 12 includes first, second and third connectionlocations 66, 68, 70. The first, second and third connection locations66, 68, 70 are angularly spaced apart. More specifically, the first,second and third connection locations 66, 68, 70 are equally angularlyspaced around a center point of the first member 12 such that adjacentconnection locations are approximately one hundred and twenty (120)degrees apart. Similarly, the second member 14 includes fourth, fifthand sixth connection locations 72, 74, 76. The fourth, fifth and sixthconnection locations 72, 74, 76 are also angularly spaced apart. Morespecifically, the fourth, fifth and sixth connection locations 72, 74,76 are equally angularly spaced around a center point of the secondmember 14 such that adjacent connection locations are approximately onehundred and twenty (120) degrees apart.

Referring to FIG. 7, the post 48 extends between the first and secondmembers 12, 14 and defines a first axis A that is centered relative tothe first and second members 12, 14. The first and fourth connectionlocations 66, 72 are generally aligned. The second and fifth connectionlocations 68, 74 are generally aligned. The third and sixth connectionlocations 70, 76 are generally aligned. The first, second and thirdconnection locations 66, 68, 70 on the first member 12 correspond with acircle having the first axis A at its center. Similarly, the fourth,fifth and sixth connection locations 72, 74, 76 on the second member 14correspond with a circle also having the first axis A at its center.

Beginning with the first cable section 54, opposite ends are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12, 14 at the first and fifthconnection locations 66, 74, respectively. Opposite ends of the secondcable section 56 are fixedly secured to the first and second members 12,14 at the first and sixth connection locations 66, 76, respectively.Opposite ends of the third cable section 58 are fixedly secured to thefirst and second members 12, 14 at the second and fourth connectionlocations 68, 72, respectively. Opposite ends of the fourth cablesection 60 are fixedly secured to the first and second members 12, 14 atthe second and sixth connection locations 68, 76, respectively. Oppositeends of the fifth cable section 62 are fixedly secured to the first andsecond members 12, 14 at the third and fourth connection locations 70,72, respectively. Finally, opposite ends of the sixth cable section 64are fixedly secured to the first and second members 12, 14 at the thirdand fifth connection locations 70, 74, respectively.

The arrangement of the connection locations 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 issuch that each cable section 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 crosses by the post48 as the cable sections 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 extend between the firstand second members 12, 14. Further, the cable sections 54, 56, 58, 60,62, 64 form a triangulated pattern that is symmetrical about the firstaxis A and carry equal tensile loads evenly distributed around therespective perimeters of the first and second members 12, 14.

It is appreciated that more than one support assembly 10 can be arrangedin an end-to-end configuration to construct a truss-like system havingvertical and/or horizontal members, as shown in FIG. 11.

It is also appreciated that having cable sections of unequal lengthswill result in the first and second members 12, 14 being non-parallelwhen the post 48 is extended therebetween. For example, if the secondand fourth cable sections 56, 60, which are both fixedly secured to thesecond member 14 at the sixth connection location 76, have equal lengthsbut are longer than the first, third, fifth and sixth cable sections 54,58, 62, 64, the second member 14 will be non-parallel with the firstmember 12. In this arrangement, the first member 12 is generallyperpendicular with the post 48 and the second member 14 isnon-perpendicular with the post 48. Other cable sections can belengthened or shortened, as required, to vary the orientation of thefirst and second members 12, 14. It is contemplated that the post 48extending between the non-parallel first and second members 12, 14 willhave ends adapted for engaging the inner sides of the non-parallel firstand second members 12, 14. One example of the support assembly 10 havingnon-parallel first and second members 12, 14 is shown in FIG. 12,wherein the support assembly 10 is used as an angled section in thetruss-like system.

In a first alternative arrangement of the three-point support assembly10, shown in FIG. 8, the support assembly 10 includes four posts 48 a,48 b, 48 c, 48 d that extend generally parallel between the first andsecond members 12, 14. One post 48 a is centered relative to the firstand second members 12, 14. The other three posts 48 b, 48 c, 48 d aredisposed symmetrically around the centered post 48 a such that the otherposts 48 b, 48 c, 48 d correspond with a circle having the centered post48 a at its center. It is appreciated that the centered post 48 a couldbe removed or that additional posts 48 could be provided without varyingfrom the scope of the invention.

In a second alternative arrangement of the three-point support assembly10, shown in FIG. 9, the support assembly 10 includes three posts 48 e,48 f, 48 g that extend generally parallel between the first and secondmembers 12, 14. Each post 48 e, 48 f, 48 g is located circumferentiallyoutside the first, second and third connection locations 66, 68, 70 onthe first member 12 and the fourth, fifth and sixth connection locations72, 74, 76 on the second member 14.

In a third alternative arrangement of the three-point support assembly10, shown in FIG. 10, the support assembly 10 includes three posts 48 h,48 i, 48 j that extend at an angle between the first and second members12, 14. In the present arrangement, the posts 48 h, 48 i, 48 j abut thefirst member 12 at a central position. The posts 48 h, 48 i, 48 jdiverge outwardly from the central position and abut the second member14 adjacent the fourth, fifth and sixth connection locations 72, 74, 76.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, wherein like primed reference numbersrepresent similar elements as those described above, in a secondembodiment of the invention the support assembly 10′ is a four-pointsystem, wherein the cable 16′ is connected to each of the first andsecond members 12′, 14′ at four separate points, thus creating eightcable sections extending between the first and second members 12′, 14′with two cable sections at each connection location. In other words, thecable 16′ includes eight cable sections, namely, a first cable section78, a second cable section 80, a third cable section 82, a fourth cablesection 84, a fifth cable section 86, a sixth cable section 88, aseventh cable section 90, and an eighth cable section 92. Each one ofthe eight cable sections 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 is equal inlength such that the first and second 12′, 14′ members are generallyparallel. It is appreciated that each cable section may be a separatecable without varying from the scope of the invention.

The first member 12′ includes first, second, third and fourth connectionlocations 94, 96, 98, 100. The first, second, third and fourthconnection locations 94, 96, 98, 100 are angularly spaced apart. Morespecifically, the first, second, third and fourth connection locations94, 96, 98, 100 are equally angularly spaced around a center point ofthe first member 12′ such that adjacent connection locations areapproximately ninety (90) degrees apart. Similarly, the second member14′ includes fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connection locations 102,104, 106, 108. The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connection locations102, 104, 106, 108 are angularly spaced apart. More specifically, thefifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connection locations 102, 104, 106, 108are equally angularly spaced around a center point of the second member14′ such that adjacent connection locations are approximately ninety(90) degrees apart.

The post 48′ extends between the first and second members 12′, 14′ anddefines the first axis A′ that is centered relative to the first andsecond members 12′, 14′. In the second embodiment, the second member 14′is rotated about the first axis A′ relative to the first member 12′ suchthat the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connection locations 102, 104,106, 108 on the second member 14′ are aligned generally between thefirst, second, third and fourth connection locations 94, 96, 98; 100 onthe first member 12′. In other words, the fifth, sixth, seventh andeighth connection locations 102, 104, 106, 108 on the second member 14′are offset about forty-five (45) degrees from the first, second, thirdand fourth connection locations 94, 96, 98, 100 on the first member 12′.

Beginning with the first cable section 78, opposite ends are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the first and sixthconnection locations 94, 104, respectively. Opposite ends of the secondcable section 80 are fixedly secured to the first and second members12′, 14′ at the first and seventh connection locations 94, 106,respectively. Opposite ends of the third cable section 82 are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the second andseventh connection locations 96, 106, respectively. Opposite ends of thefourth cable section 84 are fixedly secured to the first and secondmembers 12′, 14′ at the second and eighth connection locations 96, 108,respectively. Opposite ends of the fifth cable section 86 are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the third and fifthconnection locations 98, 102, respectively. Opposite ends of the sixthcable section 88 are fixedly secured to the first and second members12′, 14′ at the third and eighth connection locations 98, 108,respectively. Opposite ends of the seventh cable section 90 are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the fourth and fifthconnection locations 100, 102, respectively. Finally, opposite ends ofthe eighth cable section 92 are fixedly secured to the first and secondmembers 12′, 14′ at the fourth and sixth connection locations 100, 104,respectively.

The arrangement of the connection locations 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104,106, 108 is such that each cable section 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92crosses by the post 48′ as the cable sections 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88,90, 92 extend between the first and second members 12′, 14′. Further,the cable sections 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 form a triangulatedpattern that is symmetrical about the first axis A′ and carry equaltensile loads that are evenly distributed around the respectiveperimeters of the first and second members 12′, 14′.

In a first alternative arrangement of the four-point support assembly10′, shown in FIG. 15, the first and second members 12′, 14′ areoriented such that the first, second, third and fourth connectionlocations 94, 96, 98, 100 on the first member 12′ and the fifth, sixth,seventh and eighth connection locations 102, 104, 106, 108 on the secondmember 14′ are respectively aligned along axes that are parallel withthe first axis A′. More specifically, the second member 14′ is generallysquare and is configured so that the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighthconnection locations 102, 104, 106, 108 are positioned at cornersthereof. In other words, each edge of the second member 14′ includes twoconnection locations.

Beginning with the first cable section 78, opposite ends are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the first and sixthconnection locations 94, 104, respectively. Opposite ends of the secondcable section 80 are fixedly secured to the first and second members12′, 14′ at the first and eighth connection locations 94, 108,respectively. Opposite ends of the third cable section 82 are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the second and fifthconnection locations 96, 102, respectively. Opposite ends of the fourthcable section 84 are fixedly secured to the first and second members12′, 14′ at the second and seventh connection locations 96, 106,respectively. Opposite ends of the fifth cable section 86 are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the third and sixthconnection locations 98, 104, respectively. Opposite ends of the sixthcable section 88 are fixedly secured to the first and second members12′, 14′ at the third and eighth connection locations 98, 108,respectively. Opposite ends of the seventh cable section 90 are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ the fourth and fifthconnection locations 100, 102, respectively. Finally, opposite ends ofthe eighth cable section 92 are fixedly secured to the first and secondmembers 12′, 14′ at the fourth and seventh connection locations 100,106, respectively.

In a second alternative arrangement of the four-point support assembly10′, shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the second member 14′ is tiltable about apivot axis B that is generally perpendicular to the first axis A′. Inthe embodiment shown, the second member 14′ is generally square and isconfigured so that the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connectionlocations 102, 104, 106, 108 are positioned at midpoints along each edgeof the second member 14′. In other words, each edge of the second member14′ includes one connection location. The first and second members 12′,14′ are oriented such that the first and fifth connection locations 94,102 are generally aligned. The second and sixth connection locations 96,104 are generally aligned. The third and seventh connection locations98, 106 are generally aligned. The fourth and eighth connectionlocations 100, 108 are generally aligned.

The third and fourth cable sections 82, 84 are a single continuous cablethat forms a first adjustable cable 110. Similarly, the seventh andeighth cable sections 90, 92 are a single continuous cable that forms asecond adjustable cable 112. The first, second, fifth and sixth cablesections 78, 80, 86, 88 may each be separate cables.

Beginning with the first cable section 78, opposite ends are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the first and sixthconnection locations 94, 104, respectively. Opposite ends of the secondcable section 80 are fixedly secured to the first and second members12′, 14′ at the first and eighth connection locations 94, 108,respectively. Opposite ends of the fifth cable section 86 are fixedlysecured to the first and second members 12′, 14′ at the third and sixthconnection locations 98, 104, respectively. Opposite ends of the sixthcable section 88 are fixedly secured to the first and second members12′, 14′ at the third and eighth connection locations 98, 108,respectively.

Referring to the first adjustable cable 110, a first end 114 is fixedlysecured to the second member 14′ at the fifth connection location 102and a second end 116 is fixedly secured to the second member 14′ at theseventh connection location 106. The first adjustable cable 110 isslidably coupled between the first and second ends 114, 116 to the firstmember 12′ at the second connection location 96. Similarly, referring tothe second adjustable cable 112, a first end 118 is fixedly secured tothe second member 14′ at the fifth connection location 102 and a secondend 120 is fixedly secured to the second member 14′ at the seventhconnection location 106. The second adjustable cable 112 is slidablycoupled between the first and second ends 118, 120 to the first member12′ at the fourth connection location 100.

A first lock mechanism 122 is provided at the second connection location96. The first lock mechanism 122 is selectively actuated between alocked condition and an unlocked condition. In the locked condition, thefirst adjustable cable 110 is prevented from sliding relative to thefirst member 12′. In the unlocked condition, the first adjustable cable110 is allowed to slide relative to the first member 12′ therebyallowing the second member 14′ to tilt about the pivot axis B relativeto the first member 12. The second member 14′ can be positioned andlocked at any of a plurality of tilted positions.

A second lock mechanism (not shown) may be provided at the fourthconnection location 100 to selectively lock and unlock the secondadjustable cable 112. In addition, the second lock mechanism may beindependently actuated between the locked and unlocked conditions oroperatively coupled with the first lock mechanism such that both thefirst and second lock mechanism actuate between the locked and unlockedconditions simultaneously.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended tobe in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations of the present invention are possible inlight of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood thatwithin the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedother than as specifically described.

What is claimed:
 1. A support assembly comprising: a first member; asecond member separate and spaced apart from said first member; a thirdmember securing said first and second members together; and a fourthmember extending between said first and second members, said fourthmember forcing said first and second members apart to provide a tensileforce in said third member and a compressive three in said fourthmember, thereby stabilizing said support assembly, wherein the fourthmember defines a first axis, the third member includes at least onesection, the at least one section having one end secured to the firstmember and an opposed end secured to the second member, and a secondaxis that passes through both the one end and the opposed end isnon-parallel with respect to the first axis.
 2. A support assembly asset forth in claim 1 wherein said third member is flexible.
 3. A supportassembly comprising: a first member; a second member separate and spacedapart from said first member; a third member fixedly secured to saidfirst member and said second member; and a fourth member extendinglinearly between said first member and said second member, wherein alength of said fourth member is selectively adjustable and increasingsaid length of said fourth member provides a tensile force in said thirdmember and a compressive force in said fourth member, therebystabilizing said support assembly, wherein the fourth member defines afirst axis, the third member includes at least one section, the at leastone section having one end secured to the first member and an opposedend secured to the second member, and a second axis that passes throughboth the one end and the opposed end is non-parallel with respect to thefirst axis.
 4. A support assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidthird member is flexible.
 5. A support assembly as set forth in claim 3wherein increasing said length of said fourth member increases thestability of said support assembly.
 6. A support assembly as set forthin claim 3 wherein said first and second members are generally parallel.7. A support assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first andsecond members are generally non-parallel.
 8. A support assembly as setforth in claim 3 including a plurality of said fourth members extendinglinearly between said first and second members, wherein each of saidplurality of said fourth members is generally parallel.
 9. A supportassembly as set forth in claim 3 including a plurality of said fourthmembers extending between said first and second members, wherein each ofsaid plurality of said fourth members is non-parallel.
 10. A supportassembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said third member is fixedlysecured to said first member at a first plurality of connectionlocations, said first plurality or connection locations positionedsymmetrically about said first member, and said third member is fixedlysecured to said second member at a second plurality of connectionlocations, said second plurality of connection locations positionedsymmetrically about said second member.
 11. A support assembly as setforth in claim 3 wherein said third member is fixedly secured to saidfirst member at first, second and third connection locations and saidthird member is fixedly secured to said second member at fourth, fifthand sixth connection locations.
 12. A support assembly as set forth inclaim 11 wherein said first, second and third connection locations areequally angularly spaced apart and said fourth, fifth and sixthconnection locations are equally angularly spaced apart.
 13. A supportassembly comprising: a first member; a second member separate and spacedapart from said first member; a third member securing said first andsecond members together; and a fourth member extending between saidfirst and second members, said fourth member forcing said first andsecond members apart to provide a tensile force in said third member anda compressive farce in said fourth member, thereby stabilizing, saidsupport assembly, wherein said third member is fixedly secured to saidfirst member at first, second and third connection locations and saidthird member is fixedly secured to said second member at fourth, fifthand sixth connection locations, and said third member includes first,second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth sections, said first section isfixedly secured to said first member at said first connection locationand said second member at said fifth connection location, said secondsection is fixedly secured to said first member at said first connectionlocation and said second member at said sixth connection location, saidthird section is fixedly secured to said first member at said secondconnection location and said second member at said fourth connectionlocation, said fourth section is fixedly secured to said first member atsaid second connection location and said second member at said sixthconnection location, said fifth section is fixedly secured to said firstmember at said third connection location and said second member at saidfourth connection location, and said sixth section is fixedly secured tosaid first member at said third connection location and said secondmember at said fifth connection location.
 14. A support assembly as setthrill in claim 13 wherein each of said first, second, third, fourth,fifth and sixth sections have equal lengths.
 15. A support assembly asset forth in claim 3 wherein said third member is fixedly secured tosaid first member at first, second, third and fourth connectionlocations and said third member is fixedly secured to said second memberat fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connection locations.
 16. A supportassembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first, second, third andfourth connection locations are equally angularly spaced apart and saidfifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connection locations are equallyangularly spaced apart.
 17. A support assembly as set forth in claim 16wherein said first, second, third and fourth connection locations areoffset angularly about forty-five degrees relative to said fifth, sixth,seventh and eighth connection locations.
 18. A support assembly as setforth in claim 15 wherein said third member includes first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth sections, said firstsection is fixedly secured to said first member at said first connectionlocation and said second member at said sixth connection location, saidsecond section is fixedly secured to said first member at said firstconnection location and said second member at said seventh connectionlocation, said third section is fixedly secured to said first member atsaid second connection location and said second member at said seventhconnection location, said fourth section is fixedly secured to saidfirst member at said second connection location and said second memberat said eighth connection location, said fifth section is fixedlysecured to said first member at said third connection location and saidsecond member at said fifth connection location, said sixth section isfixedly secured to said first member at said third connection locationand said second member at said eighth connection location, said seventhsection is fixedly secured to said first member at said fourthconnection location and said second member at said fifth connectionlocation, and said eighth section is fixedly secured to said firstmember at said fourth connection location and said second member at saidsixth connection location.
 19. A support assembly as set forth in claim3 wherein said second member is selectively pivotal relative to saidfirst member.
 20. A support assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein atleast a portion of said third member is selectively slidably coupled tosaid first member, thereby allowing pivotal movement of said secondmember relative to said first member.
 21. A support assembly as setforth in claim 20 wherein said third member includes first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth sections, said firstsection is fixedly secured to said first member at a first connectionlocation and said second member at a sixth connection location, saidsecond section is fixedly secured to said first member at said firstconnection location and said second member at an eighth connectionlocation, said fifth section is fixedly secured to said first member ata third connection location and said second member at said sixthconnection location, said sixth section is fixedly secured to said firstmember at said third connection location and said second member at saideighth connection location, said third and fourth sections form a firstadjustable member and said seventh and eighth sections form a secondadjustable member, a first end of said first adjustable member isfixedly secured to said second member at a fifth connection location anda second end is fixedly secured to said second member at a seventhconnection location, a first end of said second adjustable member isfixedly secured to said second member at said fifth connection locationand a second end is fixedly secured to said second member at saidseventh connection location, said first adjustable member is selectivelyslidably coupled between said first and second ends of said firstadjustable member to said first member at a second connection locationand said second adjustable member is selectively slidably coupledbetween said first and second ends of said second adjustable member at afourth connection location, thereby allowing selective sliding movementof said first and second adjustable members relative to said firstmember.
 22. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the atleast one section extends linearly between the one end and the opposedend.
 23. The support assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each ofthe first member and the second member include a connection locations,where n is a variable that is as positive integer, the third memberincludes 2n sections, each section having, the one end connected to aconnection location of the first member and the opposed end connected toa connection location of Inc second member, and each connection locationreceives an end of two different sections.